President Wippman’s Writings & Remarks

Board of Trustees Meeting

June 12, 2018

Tags Board Meeting Updates

Dear Members of the Hamilton Community,

Hamilton hosted another successful Reunion Weekend thanks to perfect weather and many hours of preparation and service provided by many of our colleagues. More than 1,300 alumni and their families returned to College Hill to reminisce and reconnect. For everything from organizing events and greeting alumni, to serving thousands of meals, cleaning residence halls, and mowing lawns, thank you to all who made our guests feel welcome.

This year, two of the most coveted awards from the Alumni Association were bestowed on Athletic Equipment Manager Dennis Murphy, who received the Distinguished Service Award, and Professor Bob Simon, who was recognized with the 2018 Bell Ringer Award just a week after his passing. Bob's wife, Joy, and their son, Bruce '91, accepted the award in his honor. Chris Wilkinson '68 carried on the tradition of half-century class annalist with a poignant, moving, and, at times, musical reflection of the 50th Reunion class' time on College Hill, and many alumni participated in the dinners, social gatherings, Alex Talks and Alumni Colleges that were held throughout the weekend.

At their quarterly meeting, trustees heard reports on enrollment, board governance, the residential experience, and planning for humanities facilities. After touring residence halls, humanities buildings, and technology spaces, trustees participated in discussions of campaign initiatives. The board also re-elected Richard Bernstein '80, Susan Skerritt K'77, P'11, and David Solomon '84, P'16 as charter trustees, and elected Jeff Little '71, P'04 and Jack Withiam '71, P'16,'20 as life trustees. Steve Sadove'73, P'07,'10,'13 was re-elected board chair and Susan Skerritt was elected vice chair; both will serve two-year terms beginning July 1. Finally, Johannes Burlin '87, Alison Hill '87, and Greg Schwartz '94 will join the board on July 1 as alumni trustees. The next board meeting will take place during Fallcoming and Family Weekend, October 26-27.

I know the summer remains a busy time for many, but I hope you will find time to enjoy the company of your Hamilton colleagues at our community lunches that begin on Wednesday. Best wishes for a summer of rest and relaxation.

Sincerely,

David